Very young children without teeth should never be given foods that are small, hard, or slippery because of the choking hazard they present (such as whole grapes). Grapes may be chopped or pureed. Baby carrots or chunks of potatoes may be pressure cooked for a few minutes until soft. Do not add salt or sugar. A few drops of oil, butter or milk can be stirred into dry foods. Foods that are too watery may be thickened by adding Beech-Nut Cereal flakes. Cooked foods should be cooled to a comfortable temperature before being served.

Otherwise unpalatable fruit may be sweetened with a little honey, but be careful not to use sweetness in foods as an enticement, as this can become a bad habit which is hard to break and might lead to a "sweet tooth". Avoid candy; choose naturally sweet foods instead, such as bananas, grapes, dates, sweet corn, beets, etc. Never use sweet foods as a reward.

Remember that the healthiest foods contain a short list of natural ingredients; foods that contain no artificial or chemical additives or coloring, no preservatives, and no added sodium or sugar are the healthiest foods for toddlers (and everyone!). A diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables of great variety will give kids a good start towards having a healthy acceptance of many foods as adults. Picky eaters are created as children are fed a monotonous continuum of the same foods day in and day out.

Here are a few healthy snack suggestions for toddlers.

Cut a banana in half lengthwise, and spread each half with a thin layer of peanut butter. Top with some chopped raisins, the put the halves back together. Cut into bite size pieces.

Make your own gelatin snacks by soaking 1 or 2 packets of Knox Gelatine in 1 cup cold water (use a large Pyrex measuring cup) for five minutes, stirring until dissolved. Heat in microwave until mixture boils and is clear. Let cool for a few minutes, then stir in 1 or 2 cups fruit juice or fruit juice concentrate. Chill until set. Fruit cocktail or chopped fruit can be stirred in when the gelatine has the consistency of jelly but has not yet set. Or at the point where the mixture has begun to gel, it can be whipped with a mixer until light and airy (and milk or cream can be whipped and folded in as another variation).

Deviled egg halves (fill with chopped ham, spinach with cream or cottage cheese, egg yolks, etc - don't add extra spices or seasonings).

Fruit-filled bar cookies, cut into pieces.

Chopped fruit (may be stewed in fruit juice).

Toasted cheese sandwiches cut into squares, triangles, or other shapes (cookie cutters may be used).

Cooked individual frozen pizzas, cut into small wedges.

Toasted miniature waffles, spread with peanut butter or honey.

Snack mix of your child's favorite ready-to-eat cereals.

Bite-size pieces of canned peaches and pears.

Soft little cookies, shortbread or Zwieback.

Cream-cheese and jelly sandwiches cut into squares, triangles or other shapes.

Celery sticks filled with cream cheese.

Cottage cheese or ricotta with pineapple chunks.

Pasta or noodles meat balls, halved mashed potatoes pumpkin or squash pie or puree mashed sweet potatoes.